MAMCATIONS

CHILL, YOUR AFTER 5 AND WEEK-END SPECIALISTS, DECIDED TO TWIST CANADIANS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL BY REPORTING ON EXCITING AND EMERGING VACATION OPPORTUNITIES WHICH MAKE LIFE A LOT MORE ENJOYABLE. A 14-DAY CARIBBEAN ALL-INCLUSIVE HOLIDAY IS GREAT IF YOU HAVE THE TIME AND THE MONEY. IF NOT, YOU CAN GET THAT WELL- NEEDED BREAK AT A FRACTION OF THE COST THANKS TO TODAY’S UNIQUE HOLIDAY OPTIONS!

Introducing “Twist on Travel,” a new department within CHILL and chillonline.ca . We’ll explore the gamut of getaways from the daycation to the staycation. We will also review seasonal essentials like the quintessential bachelor party or wedding moon to help you make the most of your downtime.In our first installment, being who we are, we thought it would be apropos to feature the mancation.

There comes a time in every man’s life where a long overdue trip is essential to escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday grind and reacquaint with your manhood. Not just any trip will do; it has to be something liberating, gritty and well, manly. A getaway where communication is limited to a grunt, burp, silence or a fist bump. An oasis where your primitive instincts will not be subdued. Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that we present to you, the mancation.

What is a mancation?

A mancation is a retreat with your buddies, brothers, teammates or childhood friends. Also known as the extended boys’ weekend, these trips are growing in popularity due to their flexibility and à la carte options. Instead of buying a pre-packaged vacation, guys are opting to customize their trips by choosing unique destinations and thrilling activities not always found in all-inclusive deals. Best of all, you won’t get tied up with vouchers or restrictions. Make your mancation memorable; try everything from extreme sports like scuba diving, rock climbing and jet skiing. If you’re planning a trip with the boys, here are some tips for the ultimate excursion.

SELECT YOUR ENTOURAGE
Choosing your travel entourage is the most important decision you'll have to make.Do not take this lightly.It's best to bring along friends with similar interests because the wrong person can affect the entire experience. So inviting someone simply because they can toss a mean salad or cover the gas bill, is out of the question. For an eventful weekend, you’ll need to enlist your own version of Vinny, E, Turtle, Drama and Ari. But before you make your picks, there’s an important order of operation you must follow – you need to put together a dream team that blends and compliments each other. Here’s a lineup of the players every man should have on his team:

THE MAGNET
Also known as the confi dent “I will get her number” guy. The magnet’s primary function in the group (if most of you are single) is to attract the ladies. No matter what he says or does he always seems to have a crowd of female admirers hanging on to his every words.

Mancation value: Consider yourself lucky to be his wingman. His power of persuasion will attract the best tables, amazing service and THE COMEDIAN Always the life of the party, this guy is comfortable in any social situation. He is the epitome of embellishment and has memorized the top 1000 jokes and knows when to deploy them.

Mancation Value: His timely jokes and anecdotes will have you in tolerable pain, as the continuous laughter will reveal the 6 pack you thought you lost when you were 19.

THE NETWORK KING
This guy is always on his BlackBerry and is more connected than the electricity company.
He’ll know everybody at a party and will fi nd you the best deals for anything and everything.

Mancation Value: He’ll be able to get you into the best hotels and events, scoring VIP upgrades and awesome savings along the way.

THE RELIABLE GUY
Known for his trustworthiness, the reliable guy is a wellrounded and pensive individual. He’s been through it all and will solve any and all problems or situations the comedian or magnet may have inadvertently embroiled you in.
Mancation value: He will coordinate the plans, and handle ALL entourage PR-let him do the talking.

THE TOUGH GUY
He’s the quiet one in the group with the cavalier attitude. He may not say much, but he’s extremely loyal and has your back at all times. When the reliable guy’s diplomacy doesn’t work in a club or dispute, he’ll be there to handle things differently.

Mancation Value: If you’re considering forgoing the bungee jump, he’s the one to tell you to “man up” and jump!

2 CREATE A CHECKLIST I know, I know, the last thing you want is another bucket list, but trust me you’ll want to write this one. Besides, a thorough plan ensures that your vacation will go off without a hitch. First, you’ll need to decide on a location with the boys’. Jot down their suggestions and compare. The similar ideas should help you pick a destination that your entourage will enjoy. Have the reliable guy make travel arrangements ahead of time to avoid any potential problems. Lastly, try some activities that you’ve never experienced. For example, extreme sports like skydiving or paragliding will keep you entertained and get the adrenaline pumping.

3 WHERE TO GO?

You’ll need to go somewhere to recharge your masculinity, a place where your rambunctious behaviour will not be frowned upon but applauded. Vegas is, of course, the ultimate mancation spot for those looking to hit the casinos and parties. But there are plenty of other options, from hiking the Amazon rainforests to kicking back at the cottage. Wherever you plan to visit, just ask yourself, would Chuck Norris go there?

4 WHAT TO DO?

Activities are just as important as the location; these suggestions are sure to form an irreversible bond within your brotherhood, although there are thousands more to choose from.

SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS
If you’re a sports fanatic, make a tradition out of traveling to one of your favorite team’s away games. Even better, make a road trip out of one of their road trips. Don’t worry about being “the opposition”; the face paint alone will be a dead giveaway.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Leave your worldly possessions at home and rough it out with Mother Nature.

Only men of true strength can hike and camp in the middle of nowhere.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
If you’re a music nut you might choose to see your favourite band in New York City.

You could get your Irish on and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. Perhaps Oktoberfest in Berlin is more your taste.

The opportunities are endless.

ADVENTURE RACING
There’s no better way to prove your prowess than to challenge the boys to a week-long, non-stop, arduous race in the wilderness. The bragging rights alone should be more than enough to get them to join.

WHERE TO GO?

You’ll need to go somewhere to recharge your masculinity, a place where your rambunctious behaviour will not be frowned upon but applauded. Vegas is, of course, the ultimate mancation spot for those looking to hit the casinos and parties. But there are plenty of other options, from hiking the Amazon rainforests to kicking back at the cottage. Wherever you plan to visit, just ask yourself, would Chuck Norris go there?

5 HOW TO FIND THE BEST DEALS?

Despite what some might think, mancation deals can be easy to come by, you just have to know where to search. For example, many hotels offer discount rates during the off-peak season. Also, try scheduling your trip during the weekday to take advantage of the midweek deals. Hotels and airlines will usually offer last minute deals to keep their rooms or seats from staying empty. If you don’t mind leaving at a moment’s notice then this option might be ideal.

Whatever you plan on doing, a getaway with the boys is sure to be a memorable Adventure.if all goes accordingly, you'll be counting down the days till the next one.

TOP 5 WAYS TO TELL YOU HAD AN AMAZING VACATION adventure.
If all goes accordingly, you’ll be counting down the days till the next one.

5 You deliberately miss your return fl ight.

4 Using anything technology related feels awkward and unnatural.

3 You get extremely angry when someone says, “welcome back”.

2 You build a makeshift pool bar in your backyard (but it just isn’t the same).

1 You more than seven annual commemorative “Best Trip” t-shirts in your drawer.